In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

Wesley's Notes

12:8 As David - A mighty man of valour. The house of David - Those of the royal line shall be for prudence, and prowess in the conduct of the armies of Israel, most excellent; exprest here in an hyperbole. As the angel - Nay, like the angel of the Lord, like Christ who is captain of our salvation.

King James Translators' Notes

feeble: or, abject: Heb. fallen

Scofield Reference Notes

[2] David Kingdom in O.T., Summary:

I. Dominion over the earth before the call of Abraham

(1) Dominion over creation was given to the first man and woman Gen 1:26,28. Through the fall this dominion was lost, Satan becoming "prince of this world" Mt 4:8-10 Jn 14:30.

(2) After the flood, the principle of human government was established under the covenant with Noah See Scofield Note: "Gen 9:1". Biblically this is still the charter of all Gentile government.

II. The Theocracy in Israel. The call of Abraham involved, with much else, the creation of a distinctive people through whom great purposes of God toward the race might be worked out (see "Israel" Gen 12:1-3 Rom 11:26).

Among these purposes is the establishment of a universal kingdom. The order of the development of Divine rule in Israel is:

(1) The mediatorship of Moses Ex 3:1-10 19:9 24:12

(2) The leadership of Joshua Josh 1:1-5

(3) The institution of Judges Jud 2:16-18.

(4) The popular rejection of the Theocracy, and choice of a king-- Saul, 1Sam 8:1-7 9:12-17.

III. The Davidic kingdom

(1) The divine choice of David 1Sam 16:1-13

(2) The giving of the Davidic Covenant 2Sam 7:8-16 Ps 89:3,4,20,21,28-37.

(3) The exposition of the David Covenant by the prophets Isa 1:25,26 Zech 12:6-8.

See marg. "Kingdom" and refs. See Scofield Note: "Isa 1:25 The kingdom as described by the prophets is:

(a) Davidic, to be established under an heir of David, who is to be born of a virgin, therefore truly man, but also "Immanuel," "the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" Isa 7:13,14 9:6,7 11:1 Jer 23:5 Ezek 34:23 37:24 Hos 3:4,5.

(b) A kingdom heavenly in origin, principle, and authority Dan 2:34,35,44,45 but set up on the earth, with Jerusalem as the capital Isa 2:2-4 4:3,5 24:23 33:20 62:1-7 Jer 23:5 31:38-40 Joel 3:1,16,17.

(c) The kingdom is to be established first over regathered, restored, and converted Israel, and then to become universal Ps 2:6-8 22:1-31 24:1-10 Isa 1:2,3 11:1,10-13 60:12 Jer 23:5-8 Jer 30:7-11 Ezek 20:33-40 37:21-25 Zech 9:10 14:16-19

(d) The moral characteristics of the kingdom are to be righteousness and peace. The meek, not the proud, will inherit the earth; longevity will be greatly increased; the knowledge of the Lord will be universal; beast ferocity will be removed; absolute equity will be enforced; and outbreaking sin visited with instant judgment; while the enormous majority of earth's inhabitants will be saved Isa 11:4,6-9 65:20 Ps 2:9 Isa 26:9 Zech 14:16-21. The N.T. Rev 20:1-5, adds a detail of immense significance--the removal of Satan from the scene. It is impossible to conceive to what heights of spiritual, intellectual, and physical perfection humanity will attain in this, its coming age of righteousness and peace. Isa 11:4-9 Ps 72:1-10.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. Jerusalem, however, also shall be specially strengthened against the foe.

feeble . shall be as David-to the Jew, the highest type of strength and glory on earth (2Sa 17:8; 18:3; Joe 3:10).

angel of the Lord before them-the divine angel that went "before them" through the desert, the highest type of strength and glory in heaven (Ex 23:20; 32:34). "The house of David" is the "prince," and his family sprung from David (Eze 45:7, 9). David's house was then in a comparatively weak state.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:1-8 Here is a Divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel; for their comfort and benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels, and weaken the courage of the enemies of the church. The exact meaning is not clear; but God often begins by calling the poor and despised; and in that day even the feeblest will resemble David, and be as eminent in courage and every thing good. Desirable indeed is it that the examples and labours of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as a torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of Divine love, to spread religion on the right hand and on the left.